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In a daytime exclusive, Dr. Phil sits down with the adoptive parents of 15-year-old Erica Parsons, who was last seen nearly two years ago but was only recently reported missing -- by her brother. Casey and Sandy claim their daughter is alive and well and has been living with “Nan,” a woman who they believe is Erica’s biological grandmother. So, where is Nan? And, why do these parents say they’re now being accused of murder? What really happened to Erica?

Casey Parsons' family members call her guilty plea to a federal judge a bittersweet moment.

Casey Parsons pleaded guilty to 15 counts of federal fraud and identity theft Wednesday morning in Winston-Salem, in exchange for prosecutors dropping more than 60 other counts after her indictment in July.

SALISBURY, N.C. -- A judge ruled Thursday that Casey and Sandy Parsons' two youngest children will remain under the care of their paternal grandfather.

Reunifying the children with Casey and Sandy remains the goal, relatives said.
The couple was in court trying to get their children back after DSS removed them from the family home in Salisbury last summer, after a relative reported Erica Parsons missing. She hasn't been seen at the family home in about a year and a half.
A nationwide search and $35,000 reward has not prompted Erica Parsons’ whereabouts. Investigators consider it a missing person case.
Casey and Sandy Parsons say Erica went to live with a woman named Nan, who they thought was her biological grandmother.
Investigators say Nan doesn't exist and the story isn't true.
Thursday, Casey's mother and aunt talked about the two children, 7 and 9 years old, who have been caught in the middle since the investigation began.
DSS initially removed them from the family home in Salisbury amid allegations Erica was being abused, and because Erica was nowhere to be found.
They kids were put under the care of Shirley Stone, who is Casey's mother and Erica's grandmother.
Then, relatives say the kids were put under the care of Casey's sister, who lived with Stone.
About a month ago, DSS removed the kids again over behavior issues.
Stone says the behavior problem was the kids not being allowed to even mention their parents' names while the sister watched them.
"She wasn't allowed to give her a school picture or have a picture in her room of her mom. She wasn't allowed to talk about her mom. She wasn't supposed to do anything like that," Stone said.
"No matter what people say or what they think about your parents, if they're your parents you still love them at that age especially."
Nobody has been arrested or charged in Erica's disappearance.

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Credit Courtesy of the FBI Charlotte Office
Erica Lynn Parsons was reported missing on July 30, 2013 by her stepbrother -- more than two years after she was last seen.

The FBI says it is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that helps them find missing teen Erica Parsons. That's in addition to an existing $10,000 reward from the Rowan County Sherriff's Office. She was reported missing in July of last year, more than two years after she was last seen. Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten had this to say about Erica's adoptive parents:

"It is clear that Casey and Sandy Parsons have not been truthful in providing the information that would lead to the whereabouts to find Erica. We know that there's someone out there who can help us though and now is the time to come forward."

During the press conference in Salisbury, FBI agent Deron Roberts said authorities now know that 15-year-old Erica Parsons did not go to live with Irene "Nan" Goodman two years ago as her parents claimed. Her parents say Goodman was her biological grandmother, but Roberts says the woman does not exist.

Eyewitness News was not allowed inside a Rowan County courtroom Thursday, when a judge made a decision about who would be awarded custody of the Parsons' two youngest children.

But family members told Channel 9 afterward that for now the children are staying with their aunt and are not going back to their parents, Sandy and Casey Parsons.

The children were taken from them last summer after their adoptive daughter Erica was reported missing.

The Sheriff's Office said she had not been seen for two years before that. Investigators are still working to figure out where she is.

Casey and Sandy Parsons did not speak with Eyewitness News after court, but extended family members on both sides did.

A family member told Channel 9 the judge told Casey and Sandy Parsons if they want to regain custody of their children they will have to produce Erica Parsons.

An aunt on Casey's side of the family told Eyewitness News that things are staying the same right now.

"For today we're just relieved that the kids are staying with their aunt and that things are just the same. Nothing has changed, it's just like it was, so that was a relief for the whole family," said Angela Laubscher, an aunt.

Sandy's parents said they were relieved as well.

"It's been horrible, and there's still parts of this that are not over. But this one part is settled for today," said Janet Parsons, grandmother of the children.

Another family member told Eyewitness News that the aunt who has custody now will be back in court in about 90 days to check in with the judge.

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. -- The Parsonses are expected in court on Wednesday for what could be their last custody hearing.

Sandy and Casey Parsons, the adoptive parents of missing teenager Erica Parsons, are scheduled to be in court Wednesday to fight for custody of their two youngest children.

The Department of Social Services removed the kids from their home while investigating claims of child abuse that came from the couple’s 20-year-old son—the same son who reported Erica missing.

A judge could make a final ruling on the children’s custody on Wednesday, and it’s possible the Parsonses could lose custody of their two youngest kids.

Meanwhile, the search for Erica Parsons continues. The teen has been missing now for more than two years. If you have any information in the case, you're urged to call the Rowan County sheriff’s Office at 704-216-8700.

This story is so reminiscent of the Casey Anthony Saga. Just like Casey Anthony, Casey Parsons would not have reported this child missing at all if were not for a family member forcing her hand. After watching the show and then researching the local news reports about this case, it seems as though no one is supporting Sandy and Casey's account of Erica's whereabouts. It's my guess that it's just a matter of time before they are arrested and convicted. I hope Dr. Phil will keep us updated on this case.

I just want to cry everytime I hear or read something about this case. That precious child deserves justice! I will continue to pray that there will be answers soon. These people are horrific and make me absolutely sick to my stomach! Justice for Erica!!! We want to bring you home, sweet girl!!